Portable manhole cover remover

ABSTRACT

A manhole cover remover, including a support, the support being a utility vehicle, equipped with a plow carriage, hydraulic ram, and plow connectors; at least one pivot arm joined to the plow connectors; a cable connecting the hydraulic ram and the at least one pivot arm; an attachment joined to the at least one pivot arm; a video camera in optical communication with the attachment; and a monitor located within the utility vehicle and in communication with the video camera and a method of converting a snow plow to a manhole cover remover, including the steps of removing a snowplow blade from plow connectors and hydraulic ram; joining pivot arms to the plow connectors; joining an attachment to the pivot arms; and joining the hydraulic ram to the pivot arms.

[0001] The present invention is in the filed of lifters and morespecifically devices for lifting and removing manhole covers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Manhole covers are well known access points for various utilitiesequipment. The covers allow cars and other vehicles to traverse the roadwithout falling into the hole itself. Yet, the covers, approximatelyfifty pounds each, can be removed for required maintenance. Manholecovers, found along many paved roadways, tend to be spaced between onehundred and five hundred feet apart.

[0003] The covers are generally entrenched with rock, tar, sand anddirt. A worker must hook the cover with a pry bar or other equipment andlift. While one cover is a substantial task, removing multiple covers isdaunting. Various tools have been developed to ease this task.

[0004] For instance, Schmitz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,336) and Quarret al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,072) disclose a Compact Compressible ManholeCover Lifter and a Hydraulic Manhole Cover Lifter respectively. Thelifter is generally an inverted U-shaped piece of equipment that canengage a cover mechanically or magnetically, using either a hydraulicsystem or winch to lift the cover.

[0005] Taylor (U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,898) teaches a Manhole cover RemovalApparatus and Method. A reciprocating member mounted on a vehicle lowersto grasps a cover ad raises to lift the cover.

[0006] Agesen (U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,708) discloses a Tool for LiftingManhole Covers. A lever with wheels, mounted as a fulcrum, appliespressure to a chain joined to the cover.

[0007] Mochizuki et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,607) discloses yet anotherdevice for removing manhole covers, entitled Apparatus for OperatingManhole Cover. This device, similar to Agesen, essentially has a leverwith wheels, mounted as a fulcrum, which applies pressure to a hanginghook mechanism joined to the cover.

[0008] Golding (U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,388) teaches a Manhole Cover Lifter.A key is located in the manhole keyhole and a lever provides themechanical advantage for lifting the manhole cover.

[0009] Chick (U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,107) teaches a Sewer Cover LiftingTool. This essentially wheeled hand lever tool lifts covers from theside.

[0010] Each of the devices are complex, cumbersome and unstable. Onedevice, Lassiter, which is a little less cumbersome than theaforementioned devices is not taught to be used with manhole covers.Lassiter (U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,979) teaches a Portable Lifting Apparatus.A wheeled truck with spaced side frame members carry a boom that may bemoved along an arcuate path.

[0011] What is needed is a manhole cover remover that is compact fortransport and stable in operation. The remover should provide godmechanical advantage and ease of moving, preferably with handlespositioned in an easy to reach location. Desirably, it should attach anddetach from a vehicle and be usable whether or not it is attached to avehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The manhole cover remover is provided with an attachment; asupport; a pivot arm, the pivot arm having a proximal end hinged to thesupport and the pivot arm having a distal end; a winch joined to thedistal end of the pivot arm; and a power source in operablecommunication with the winch.

[0013] A method of removing a manhole cover includes the steps ofrotating a pivot arm down toward a manhole cover, connecting the pivotarm to the manhole cover and winching the pivot arm upward.

[0014] Advantageously, the manhole cover remover has outriggerspositionable for support when in use, which pivot upwardly providing asmaller footprint for the remover when not in use.

[0015] Also an advantage, the manhole cover remover may be incombination with a dolly providing a mechanism to easily transport theremover between covers.

[0016] As yet another advantage, the manhole cover remover may beselectively joined to a vehicle, powered by the vehicles accessorybattery or its own battery, and the remover may be separated from thevehicle for use independent thereof.

[0017] A further advantage is that handles may be extended for ease ofreach to move the manhole cover remover and collapsed for compactstorage.

[0018] In another embodiment, the manhole cover remover may be providedwith a support, at least one pivot arm, a cable, an attachment, a videocamera, and a monitor. The support preferably is a utility vehicle,equipped with a plow carriage, hydraulic ram, and plow connectors. Theat least one pivot arm may be joined to the plow connectors. The cableconnects the hydraulic ram and the at least one pivot arm, while theattachment joins to the at least one pivot arm. The video cameraoptically communicates with the attachment and communicates with themonitor located within the utility vehicle.

[0019] A method of converting a snow plow to a manhole cover remover,preferably includes the steps of removing a snowplow blade from plowconnectors and hydraulic ram; joining pivot arms to the plow connectors;joining an attachment to the pivot arms; and joining the hydraulic ramto the pivot arms. Operation of the hydraulic ram raises and lowers theattachment, e.g., magnet.

[0020] Advantageously, this embodiment uses existing equipment,expanding the usefulness of snow plows.

[0021] Advantageously, this embodiment is compact with few parts, easilyconnectable to a snowplow in a matter of minutes.

[0022] These and other advantages will become clear from reading thedescription of the invention below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the presentinvention joined to a dolly;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of thepresent invention joined to a dolly;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a front view showing the second embodiment of thepresent invention joined to a dolly with outriggers;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a side view of the showing the second embodiment of thepresent invention with outriggers extended, one handle operablypositioned and the another handle being moved to operable position;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a side view showing the present invention joined to adolly in a collapsed position;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a side view showing the present invention with a dollyjoined to a vehicle;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a front view of an existing snow plow joined to elongatemembers;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a front view showing another embodiment of a manholecover remover; and

[0031]FIG. 9 is a front view of a modified version of the embodimentshown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] A manhole cover remover 10 is provided with an attachment 12; asupport 14; a pivot arm 16 joined to the support 26; a connector 26joining the attachment 12 to the pivot arm 16; a winch 30 joined to thepivot arm 16; and a power source 40 in operable communication with thewinch 30.

[0033] The attachment 12 may be any device suitable for attachment to amanhole cover 90 such as hooks, clamps or magnets. Preferably, theattachment 12 is a magnet. Most preferably, as shown in the secondembodiment, the attachment 12 is an electromagnet. The attachment 12 isjoined to the pivot arm 16.

[0034] The support 14 may be any structure suitable for supporting thepivot arm 16. In one embodiment; the support 14 is a dolly 50, such as atwo-wheeled dolly 50. The dolly 50 includes uprights 52, wheels 54,cross bars 56 and a base plate 58. The wheels 54 and cross bars 56 arejoined to the uprights 52 with the base plate 58 extendingperpendicularly from the uprights 52. Alternatively, the support 14 maybe a vehicle 100.

[0035] The vehicle 100 may be joined to the pivot arm 16 and attachment12. The winch 30, joined to the pivot arm 16, may raise and lower theattachment 12 relative to the manhole cover 90. A power source 40, whichmay be the accessory battery of the vehicle 100, is in operablecommunication with the winch 30. In such a configuration the dolly 50 isreplaced by the vehicle 100 itself.

[0036] In a more preferred configuration, the vehicle 100 includes alower mount 102 that may be raised an lowered hydraulically or by othermechanism. The vehicle 100 further includes selectively removable clamps104 that attach to the uprights 52 of the dolly 50. When joined, thedolly 50 sits on top of the lower mount 102 and is held in place by theclamps 104. Wiring 36 and 42 may allow the controls 34 and 44 for thewinch 30 and power source 40 respectively to be operated from inside thevehicle 100.

[0037] The pivot arm 16, joined to the support 14 may be any extendersuitable for positioning the attachment 12 toward the manhole cover 90.Desirably the pivot arm 16 is relocatable to a stored position, which isdesired to be vertical near the uprights 52. The pivot arm 16 has aproximal end 18, which may be joined with a hinge 22 to the support 14.The distal end 20 of the pivot arm 16 may further have a hook or eyelet24 for connection to the connector 26 and cable 32.

[0038] The connector 26 may be any device suitable for joining theattachment 12 to the pivot arm 16. Desirably, the connector 26 is joinedto the distal end 20 of the pivot arm 16, perhaps to the hook or eyelet24. Suitable connectors 26 include cables, chains and may be the cable32 of the winch 30 described further below.

[0039] The winch 30 may be joined to the distal end 20 of the pivot arm16 via cable 32. Preferably, the winch 30 includes a control 44 andwiring 36. Wiring 36 may join the control to the remainder of the winch30 and may further connect the winch 30 to the power source 40. Thewinch 30 should be of suitable size and strength to lift a manhole cover90 from a street surface. Cross bars 56 of the dolly 50 may provide asuitable mounting structure for the winch 30.

[0040] The power source 40 may be in operable communication with themagnet 12 and may be in operable communication with the winch 30. Thepreferred power source 40 is a 12-volt battery, such as those commonlyused as accessory batteries in vehicles. The power source 40 providesthe power to operate the winch 30 and allows use of an electromagnet asthe attachment 12.

[0041] One or more outriggers 70 may be used to stabilize the support14, during removal of the cover 90. The preferred outrigger 70 includesa horizontal arm 74 rotatably joined to an attachment plate 72. Rotationof the outriggers 70 to a vertical position provides a small footprintof the remover 10 for easy transport. The attachment plate 72 may beused to secure the outriggers 70 to the uprights 52 of the dolly 50. Theattachment plates 72 desirably include securements 76, preferablydetents, which engage the horizontal arms 74, selectively locking thehorizontal arms 74 in a horizontal position and in a vertical position.Castors 78 may be joined to the horizontal arms 74 as shown to allow foreasy movement of the remover 10 about a manhole cover 90. The outriggers70 are preferably angles sufficiently to allow the castors 78 and wheels54 of the dolly 50 to be positioned across the manhole cover 90 fromeach other.

[0042] Handles 80 may be joined to the horizontal arms 74 such that theremover may easy be repositioned regardless of the location of the user.The handles 80 preferably are hinged attached to the horizontal arms 74such that the handles 80 may be positioned perpendicular to the arms 74when in use and the handles 80 may be positioned parallel to the arms 74in a collapsed or storage position. Detents may be used to selectivelyhold the handles 80 in the use position or the storage position.Telescoping handles 80 are desired to allow for smaller storage andlonger handles, providing easy reach, when in use.

[0043] In operation, a manhole cover 90 may be removed by the steps of:vertically positioning outriggers 70 the a horizontal position; rotatinga pivot arm 16 down toward a manhole cover 90; connecting the pivot arm16 to the manhole cover 90; and winching the pivot arm 16 upward. Movinga support 14, such selectively with a dolly 50 or vehicle 100, maylocate the pivot arm 16 relative to the cover 90. The pivot arm 16 mayconnect to the manhole cover 90 with an electromagnet.

[0044] An embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows a manhole coverremover 110 including a support 112, at least one pivot arm 130, a cable140, an attachment, a video camera, and a monitor. In this embodiment,the support 112 is a utility vehicle 114, equipped with a plow carriage116, hydraulic ram 118, and plow connectors 120. The pivot arm 130 maybe joined to the plow connectors 120, perhaps hingedly with a pin andcotter key arrangement. Desirably there is at least one pivot arm 130and most preferably two pivot arms 130 each joined to a correspondingplow connector 120. The cable 140 may connect the hydraulic ram 118 andthe at least one pivot arm 130 to expand the length of the hydraulic ram118. The attachment 150, preferably a magnet and most preferably anelectromagnet, joins to the at least one pivot arm 130. The attachment150 is adapted to connect to a manhole cover. A video camera 160 ispreferably in optical communication with the attachment 150, temporarilyor permanently recording the activity thereof. The monitor 170 locatedwithin the utility vehicle 114 and in communication with the videocamera 160, displays the activity of the attachment 150 to the user,while the user directs the utility vehicle 114 and the hydraulic ram 118to properly position the attachment 150 relative to the manhole cover.

[0045] This embodiment may be prepared as a kit for attachment toexisting snow plows 114. The snow plows 114 are equipped with equippedwith a plow carriage 116, hydraulic ram 118 and plow connectors 120. Thehydraulic ram 118 is a specialized winch. The kit may include at leastone pivot arm 130 adapted to be joined to plow connectors 120, a cable140 adapted to connect the hydraulic ram 118 to the at least one pivotarm 130, an attachment 150 selectively joinable to the at least onepivot arm 130, a video camera 160 in optical communication with theattachment 150; and a monitor 170 positionable within the snow plow 114and in communication with the video camera 160.

[0046] In operation, the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 provides forconversion of an existing snow plow 114 to a manhole cover remover 110,including the steps of removing a snowplow blade from plow connectors120 and hydraulic ram 118; joining pivot arms 130 to the plow connectors120; joining an attachment 150 to the pivot arms 130; and joining thehydraulic ram 118 to the pivot arms 130. The pivot arms 130 arepreferably hingedly joined to the plow connectors 120. A monitor 170 andvideo camera 160 may be mounted to the snow plow 114 to monitor thepositioning and movement of the attachment 150. Operating the hydraulicram 118 raises and lowers the attachment 150.

[0047] The embodiment shown in FIG. 9, shows is substantially the sameas the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, without the plow carriage 116or hydraulic ram 118. A winch 122, replaces the purpose and function ofthe hydraulic ram 118. Pivot arms 130 are joined to plow connectors 120or equivalent structure. The attachment 150 joins to the pivot arms 130,allowing the winch 122 to raise and lower the attachment 150, e.g.magnet, relative to a manhole cover. The video camera 160 and monitor170 may be used to allow the user to remain within the vehicle 114.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognizechanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A manhole cover remover, comprising: a support, the supportbeing a utility vehicle, equipped with a winch and plow connectors; atleast one pivot arm joined to the plow connectors; a cable connectingthe winch and the at least one pivot arm; an attachment joined to the atleast one pivot arm; a video camera in optical communication with theattachment; and a monitor located within the utility vehicle and incommunication with the video camera.
 2. The manhole cover remover ofclaim 1 wherein the winch is a hydraulic ram.
 3. The manhole cover ofclaim 1 further comprising: a plow carriage joined to a hydraulic ram,the hydraulic ram joined to the at least one pivot arm
 4. The manholecover remover of claim 1 wherein the attachment is a magnet.
 5. Themanhole cover of claim 1 wherein the attachment is an electromagnet. 6.A manhole cover remover conversion kit, comprising: at least one pivotarm adapted to be joined to plow connectors; a cable adapted to connectthe hydraulic ram to the at least one pivot arm; an attachmentselectively joinable to the at least one pivot arm; a video camera inoptical communication with the attachment; and a monitor positionablewithin a utility vehicle and in communication with the video camera. 7.The kit of claim 6 further comprising: a support being a utility vehicleequipped with a plow carriage, hydraulic ram and plow connectors, thepivot arms joined to the plow connectors, the hydraulic ram joined tothe plow carriage and the cable, the cable joined to the at least onepivot arm, and the monitor positioned within the utility vehicle.
 8. Thekit of claim 6, wherein there are two pivot arms.
 9. The kit of claim 6wherein the at least one pivot arm is adapted to be hingedly joined toat least one plow connector.
 10. The kit of claim 6 wherein theattachment is a magnet.
 11. The kit of claim 6 wherein the attachment isan electromagnet.
 12. A method of converting a snow plow to a manholecover remover, comprising the steps of: removing a snowplow blade fromplow connectors and hydraulic ram; joining pivot arms to the plowconnectors; joining an attachment to the pivot arms; and joining thehydraulic ram to the pivot arms.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein thepivot arms are hingedly joined to the plow connectors.
 14. The method ofclaim 12 further including the step of: monitoring the attachment with avideo camera and monitor.
 15. The method of claim 12 further includingthe step of: operating the hydraulic ram to raise and lower theattachment.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the attachment is amagnet.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the attachment is anelectromagnet.